Shower-tub diverter valve

ABSTRACT

A shower-tub diverter member is spring-biased to a position to maintain communication between the water inlet and the tub outlet. The diverter is formed of a distortable flexible material and is generally cup-shaped. When the diverter is in a position to block water access to the tub outlet, water pressure distorts the cup-shaped diverter into the tub outlet to provide a seal. A reduced portion of the diverter extends into the tub outlet to assist in resisting return of the diverter member to its normally open position.

United States Patent 1191 Moen [4 July 30,1974

[ SHOWER-TUB DIVERTER VALVE [76] Inventor: Alfred M. Moen, 25 Lakeview 131., 52 F M P1 D &

Grafton, Ohlo Mctrgzegan gent, 0r zrmlnzer, yer, cm

6 [22] Filed: Mar. 26, 1973 I [21] Appl. N0.: 344,507 ABSTRACT 1 A shower-tub diverter member is spring-biased to a position to maintain communication between the 'i water inlet and the tub outlet. The diverter is formed of a distortable flexible material and is generally cup- [58] Field of Search 137/119, 467, 4/148 shaped when the diverter is in a position to block he tub outlet water pressure distorts [56] References Cited Water access to v the cup-shaped diverter nto the tub outlet to provlde UNITED STATES PATENTS a seal. A reduced portion of the diverter extends into 1,937,246 ll/l933 Reedy 137/467 the tub utlet to assist in resisting return of the 2,968,313 1 /l96l Camp 137/467 verter member to its normally open position. 3,236,253 2/1966 Symmons 137/119 3.545.473 12/1970 Moia 137/119 11 Claims, 2 Drawing Figures aw/[III SHOWER-TUB DIVERTER VALVE SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION scribed in which there is provision for leak-down of any water trapped in the diverter chamber.

Another purpose is a reliably-operable simply constructed diverter valve of the type described.

Other purposes will appear in the ensuing specification, drawings and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention is illustrated diagrammatically in the following drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is an axial section through a diverter valve of the type described, and

FIG. 2 is an axial section, similar to FIG. 1, showing the diverter valve in a depressed position without water pressure on the valve.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT A shower-tub diverter valve is commonly used to change the direction of 'water flow in a combination bathtub and shower from a discharge toward the tub to a discharge through a shower head. The normal position of the diverter permits water to be discharged through the tub outlet. When the diverter is moved to what is known as-an operated position, it shuts off flow to the tub, causing water to flow to the shower head.

In the drawings, a valve housing is indicated at and there is a diverter chamber l2within the housing. A water inlet is indicated at 14 and connects to a passage 16 which conveys water to the shower head. The tub outlet is indicated at 18 and may have a threaded portion 20 for use in attaching a tub spout or other plumbing fixture. A port 22 is formed in the wall of the diverter chamber 12 and connects to the tub outlet 18. In like manner, a port 24, opposite port 22, forms the inlet for the diverter chamber 12 and connects to both the inlet passage 14 and the shower passage 16.

The normally open end of the diverter chamber 12 may be closed by a cap or plug 26 threadedly attached to the valve housing 10. An O-ring seal 28 performs a scaling function at this junction. A stem 30 extends through a central opening 32 in the plug 26 and is connected to a diverter indicated generally at 34. The stem 30 is positioned within a sleeve 36 and has an operating handle 38 at its outer end. A coil spring 40 encircles the stem 30, within the sleeve 36, and is bottomed against an internal flange 42 formed at one end of the sleeve and an end surface of the operating handle 38. Thus, the spring 40 normally urges the stem to the outer position or unoperated position of FIG. 1. An O-ring 44 provides a seal between the stem 30 and an internal surface of the plug 26.

and is generally cup-shaped in configuration. The stem 30 isattached to the diverter 34 through the use of a pair of snap rings 46 and an end cap 48. The snap rings fit in grooves 49 in the stem with the fastening arrangement permitting the diverter to be free floating on the stem. The diverter member 34, being cup-shaped, has a hollow interior 50. The left-hand end of the diverter 34, as shown in the drawings, has a portion of reduced diameter 52 which is connected to the remaining portion of the diverter 34 by a shoulder, conical in shape, and indicated at 54. That end of the plug 26 facing the diverter member may have a tapered circumferential groove on slot 56, which receives the end of the diverter formed by the reduced portion 52, as illustrated in FIG; 1. Thus, the diverter 34 is held in the unoperated position, not only by the spring 40, but by the insertion of the reduced end 52 into the tapered groove 56.

When the diverter is in the position of FIG. 1, water from the inlet passage 14 will flow through port 24, into the'diverter chamber 12, through port 22, and then through the tub outlet 18. Any suction caused by the flow of water through the diverter chamber 12 will not affect the position of the diverter, as it is firmly held to the left in the diverter chamber by the spring, the frictional force between the diverter and the tapered groove 56 as described above and by the suction effect between the diverter and plug 26.

When the bather desires to change the direction of water flow to a shower discharge, the operating handle 38 is pushed inward until the diverter has moved to the position of FIG. 2. The diverter then blocks passage of water to the tub outlet 18. Since the diverter is formed of a flexible distortable material, water flowing into the diverter chamber around the reduced portion 52 will in partforce the diverter into port 22, thus sealing the port. Also, the shoulder 54, since the diverter is forced into the port 22, will be caught against or pushed movement caused by the spring 40. Water pressure upon the diverter holds it in a position to seal port 22- and the shoulder 54 assists in preventing return of the diverter to its original open position. In addition, there is a slight degree of communication between the diverter chamber 12 and port 22 because of the reduced area'52, thus permitting a leak-down, through the tub outlet, of any water trapped in the diverter chamber. Otherwise, when the water is shut off, water trapped in the chamber might prevent automatic returnto the unoperated position of FIG. 1.

The cup 48 is effective as a support to aid and lead the diverter 34 over port 22 while water is flowing to the tub outlet.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. A shower-tub diverter valve including a housing I having a diverter chamber, a water inlet connected to The diverter member 34 may be formed of a suitable flexible distortable material, such as rubber or the like,

said chamber, shower and tub outlets in said housing connected to said chamber,

a diverter member reciprocal. in said chamber between a position in which there is communication, through said chamber, between said inlet and said tub outlet, and a position in which said diverter blocks said communication,

said diverter member being generally cup-shaped with a hollow interior and having a generally cylindrical outer surface and a reduced portion generally adjacent one end thereof, a shoulder connecting said reduced portion and the adjacent portions of said diverter member, said shoulder being at least partly within said tub outlet when the diverter is in said second-named position, and the shape and configuration of said cup-shaped diverter permitting water to flow inside of the hollow interior when said diverter is in said second-named position.

2. The structure of claim 1 further characterized by and including spring means normally urging said diverter toward said first-named position.

3. The structure of claim 1 further characterized by and including an operating stem attached to said diverter and extending outwardly from said housing.

4. The structure of claim 3 further characterized by and including spring means, encircling said stem, and normally urging said stern and diverter toward said first-named position.

5. The structure of claim 1 further characterized in that said inlet and tub outlet are located at generally opposed portions of said diverter chamber.

6. The structure of claim 1 further characterized in that said reduced portion of the diverter is formed, relative to the inlet and tub outlet and the remaining portions of the diverter, to permit seepage of water from said chamber into said tub outlet, when the diverter is in said second-named position.

7. The structure of claim 1 further characterized in that said diverter member is formed, at least in part, of a distortable material.

8. A shower-tub diverter valve including a housing having a diverter chamber, a water inlet connected to said chamber, shower and tub outlets in said housing connected to said chamber, an end wall closing one end of said diverter chamber, and a circumferentiallyextending slot in said end wall,

a diverter member reciprocal in said chamber between a position in which there is communication,

through said chamber, between said inlet and said tub outlet, and a position in which said diverter blocks said communication,

said diverter member having a generally cylindrical outer surface and a reduced portion generally adjacent one end thereof, a shoulder connecting said reduced portion and the adjacent portions of said diverter member, said shoulder being at least partly within said tub outlet when the diverter is in said second-named position, the reduced portion of said diverter being at least partially within said end wall slot when said diverter is in said first-named position.

9. The structure of claim 8 further characterized in that said circumferential groove is tapered, with the width of the groove being reduced in a direction away from said diverter.

10. The structure of claim 9 further characterized in that said diverter chamber end wall is formed by a separate replaceable member.

11. A shower-tub diverter valve including a housing having a diverter chamber, a water inlet connected to said chamber, shower and tub outlets in said housing connected to said chamber,

a diverter member reciprocal in said chamber between a position in which there is communication, through said chamber, between said inlet and said tub outlet, and a position in which said diverter blocks said communication,

said diverter member having a generally cylindrical outer surface and a reduced portion generally adjacent one end thereof, a shoulder connecting said reduced portion and the adjacent portions of said diverter member, said shoulder being at least partly within said tub outlet and positioned to contact an edge of said tub outlet when the diverter is in said second-named position to thereby resist return of said diverter from said second-named position to said first-named position. 

1. A shower-tub diverter valve including a housing having a diverter chamber, a water inlet connected to said chamber, shower and tub outlets in said housing connected to said chamber, a diverter member reciprocal in said chamber between a position in which there is communication, through said chamber, between said inlet and said tub outlet, and a position in which said diverter blocks said communication, said diverter member being generally cup-shaped with a hollow interior and having a generally cylindrical outer surface and a reduced portion generally adjacent one end thereof, a shoulder connecting said reduced portion and the adjacent portions of said diverter member, said shoulder being at least partly within said tub outlet when the diverter is in said secondnamed position, and the shape and configuration of said cupshaped diverter permitting water to flow inside of the hollow interior when said diverter is in said second-named position.
 2. The structure of claim 1 further characterized by and including spring means normally urging said diverter toward said first-named position.
 3. The structure of claim 1 further characterized by and including an operating stem attached to said diverter and extending outwardly from said housing.
 4. The structure of claim 3 further characterized by and including spring means, encircling said stem, and normally urging said stem and diverter toward said first-named position.
 5. The structure of claim 1 further characterized in that said inlet and tub outlet are located at generally opposed portions of said diverter chamber.
 6. The structure of claim 1 further characterized in that said reduced portion of the diverter is formed, relative to the inlet and tub outlet and the remaining portions of the diverter, to permit seepage of water from said chamber into said tub outlet, when the diverter is in said second-named position.
 7. The structure of claim 1 further characterized in that said diverter member is formed, at least in part, of a distortable material.
 8. A shower-tub diverter valve including a housing having a diverter chamber, a water inlet connected to said chamber, shower and tub outlets in said housing connected to said chamber, an end wall closing one end of said diverter chamber, and a circumferentially-extending slot in said end wall, a diverter member reciprocal in said chamber between a position in which there is communication, through said chamber, between said inlet and said tub outlet, and a position in which said diverter blocks said communication, said diverter member having a generally cylindrical outer surface and a reduced portion generally adjacent one end thereof, a shoulder connecting said reduced portion and the adjacent portions of said diverter member, said shoulder being at least partly within said tub outlet when the diverter is in said second-named position, the reduced portion of said diverter being at least partially within said end wall slot when said diverter is in said first-named position.
 9. The structure of claim 8 further characterized in that said circumferential groove is tapered, with the width of the groove being reduced in a direction away from said diverter.
 10. The structure of claim 9 further characterized in that said diverter chamber end wall is formed by a separate replaceable member.
 11. A shower-tub diverter valve including a housing having a diverter chamber, a water inlet connected to said chamber, shower and tub outlets in said housing connected to said chamber, a diverter member reciprocal in said chamber between a position in which there is communication, through said chamber, between said inlet and said tub outlet, and a position in which said diverter blocks said communication, said diverter member having a generally cylindrical outer surface and a reduced portion generally adjacent one end thereof, a shoulder connecting said reduced portion and the adjacent portions of said diverter member, said shoulder being at least partly within said tub outlet and positioned to contact an edge of said tub outlet when the diverter is in said second-named position to thereby resist return of said diverter from said second-named position to said first-named position. 